H.I.V. positive rapist sentenced to 18 years

One rapist who cannot even pretend to be innocent was today sentenced for his crime. Mark Cardinez, convicted two weeks ago of rape in the Supreme Court, will spend the next eighteen years behind bars. This morning Justice Michelle Arana heard mitigation pleas from Cardinez’ wife, a friend, and his lawyer, Ernest Staine. She also took into account the statement of the twenty year old victim, a friend of one of Cardinez’ step daughters who lived with the family. She told the court of the feeling of shame that will stay with her all her life. What she did not yet know was that when he raped her twice in June of 2006, Cardinez was H.I.V. positive. He revealed to the court today that he has known of his H.I.V. status for the last three years. The maximum sentence for rape is life imprisonment while the minimum is eight years.